Rewards
Written by Kate Curry
Do you have a macrame project in mind but you’re struggling to find the perfect rope…but you found some gorgeous yarn. Can you use that yarn to macrame with? Will the pattern or project still look okay if you swap yarn for rope? We’re here to help answer those questions for you and we have some examples of yarn being used as macrame mediums!
What Is the Difference Between Macrame Rope & Yarn?
Macrame rope is typically made of cotton or acrylic plied fiber that is slightly twisted. With a firmer feel, rope is also thicker than your typical skein of yarn. Most macrame rope is 4mm-7mm thick, which matches up somewhere between DK weight and worsted weight yarns.
Yarn can be made from multiple fibers and can be multiplied or single. Yarn can be made out of multiple fibers, with sizing starting at 1.5mm and going all the way up to 12.75 mm. Yarn can be made that is thicker and strong like macrame rope, but made of fabrics like felt, silk, wool, and other natural fibers.
What Yarn Should I Macrame With
There is no right or wrong way to create. Never feel limited to experiment!
With that said, in our experience, there are some types of yarn that are better than others when it comes to macrame.
We Would Suggest:
Darn Good Twist Sport Weight Silk Yarn
I love this yarn for macrame and wall hangings. The swirling, twirling colors are absolutely stunning! Sure, it can be a little fiddly because of the weight, but I think it’s worth the extra effort! It’s also a strong fiber due to the twisty nature of the yarn, so it holds knots very nicely.
Silk Roving Worsted Weight Yarn
This soft and yummy yarn is one of my favorites for doing macrame projects! Just be careful and don’t pull too tight. You can rip the fiber if you’re yanking on it too tightly.
Sari Silk Ribbon Yarn
Thick, colorful, and holds knots like a boss - this ribbon yarn is perfect for adding texture and filling large swatches of space on your next macrame project.
We Would Avoid:
Lace Weight Silk Yarn
My only issue with this yarn is the thinness. It is so hard to make visible knots due to the delicacy of this yarn. It can also tangle easily on you mid-project. It’s gorgeous for wall hangings, but I'm staying away from it for macrame!
Sport Weight Linen 2-Ply Yarn
Much like lace weight, the thickness of this yarn is not ideal, but it’s the slipperiness of the linen fiber that was the nail in the coffin for this yarn. The sleek and soft linen do not hold knots firmly and they can easily come undone unless you use a TON of strength and fabric glue.
Chakra Beaded Cotton Yarn Pack
When I saw this yarn, I immediately wanted a wall hanging… made it, but it took some time! The beads threaded onto the yarn added a gorgeous texture to my hanging, but it took forever! The weight and strength of this cotton yarn is to die for, but I spent so much time trying to organize and get the beads to lay right that I was ready to scream!
Conclusion
No matter what yarn you choose, as long as you are willing to put time and effort into your craft, you can make something stunning! If you ever have any questions about our yarn or projects, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@darngoodyarn.com
Kate has been on the Darn Good Yarn team since 2018.
They have their degree in Creative Art Therapy & Psychology - and like crafting and animals a little too much.